Chapter 3
Authors note :
Thanks to my previous reviewers for supporting this fic even though it was somewhat of a train wreck, it is really appreciated.
Hiccup enters his house to see... Stoick, seated on a thick slice of tree-trunk. He is slouched over the fire-pit, stirring the coals with his axe. Embers waft around his beard. Hiccup tries to sneak past, up the stairs to his room. Stoick seems none the wiser, when...
''Hiccup.''
''Busted'' Ruffnut and Tuffnut say in singsong voices.
''Dad. Uh...''
Stoick stands, takes a deep breath.
''I, uh... I have to talk to you, Dad.''
''I need to speak with you too, son.''
Hiccup and Stoick straighten at the same moment.
''awkward'' Snotlout says slowly.
''I've decided I don't want to'' Hiccup says as Stoick says ''I think it's time you learn to''.
'' fight dragons.'' Hiccup and Stoick finish at the same time.
Two beats go by.
''What?''
''What?''
''You go first.'' Stoick says.
''No, you go first.'' Hiccup offers.
''Bad idea'' Toothless says looking at the on screen father and son duo.
''Alright. You get your wish. Dragon training. You start in the morning.''
''Oh man, I should've gone first.'' Hiccup says whilst scrambling for a good response ''Uh, 'cause I was thinking, you know we have a surplus of dragon-fighting Vikings, but do we have enough bread-making Vikings, or small home repair vikings-''
''Really? Bread-making Vikings? Small home repair Vikings? The lad couldn't have just said blacksmith?'' Gobber says exasperated.
''How did he manage to keep his pet dragon secret for so long?'' Spitelout asks dumfounded.
''I'm not a pet, Viking'' Toothless states threateningly.
''-You'll need this.'' Stoick hands Hiccup his axe.
Hiccup avoids taking it. ''I don't want to fight dragons.''
''Come on. Yes, you do.''
''Let me rephrase. Dad I can't kill dragons.''
''You can't wait to kill dragons''
''No dad I can't kill dragons''
''But you will kill dragons.''
''No, I'm really very extra sure that I won't.''
''Told ya, that family has hearin' problems'' Gobber says proving his earlier point.
Valka was giving her husband a look. ''Hey that's not all my fault the day before he publicly announced he wanted to kill dragons'' Stoick says defensively. Valka looks wholly unimpressed.
''It's time Hiccup.''
''Can you not hear me?'' Hiccup asks in a desperate tone.
''This is serious son!'' Stoick forces the axe into Hiccup's hands. Its weight drags him down. He looks up to see Stoick under-lit with firelight. ''When you carry this axe... you carry all of us with you.''
''Which means you walk like us.''
''He walks just fine albeit a bit clumsy at times.'' Toothless says from a spot on the ground a little ways removed from baby Hiccup but still within view point.
''You talk like us.''
''His speech sounds fine to me.'' Meatlug says, tilting his head in confusion.
''You think like us.''
''No thanks, if he thought like you back then I would have been killed in the arena'' Hookfang adds shuddering a bit from his spot close to his hatchling.
''No more of...''
Stoick gestures non-specifically at Hiccup
''... this.''
Valka says nothing as she lets go of Stoicks hand and moves from her seat, to one closer to Toothless taking baby Hiccup with her.
''You just gestured to all of me.'' Hiccup says kind of hurt.
''Deal?'' Stoick asks, ignoring his sons words.
''This conversation is feeling very one-sided.''
''DEAL?!'' His father demands ones more.
Hiccup glances at the axe in his hands. It's a no-win argument. ''Deal.'' Hiccup answers resigned.
''No wonder he broke that deal.'' Gobber says.
''What do you mean by that? It was a deal'' Stoick responds confused.
''The lad only gave ya the answer ya wan'ed ta hear'' Gobber tells his clueless friend.
Satisfied with Hiccups answer, Stoick grabs his helmet and duffel bag... and heads for the door. ''Good. Train hard. I'll be back. Probably.''
''And I'll be here. Maybe.''
Stoick heads out the door, leaving Hiccup holding the axe.
Gobber raises a massive iron gate at the entrance of a vast stone arena.
''Welcome to dragon training!''
The recruits file through the gate, and out onto the arena floor. They take it in like gladiators entering the coliseums. The walls are covered in scorched silhouettes of blasted Vikings. It's a grim yet awe-inspiring place.
''brrr'' many dragons shudder looking at the arena. That place reeks of death.
''No turning back.'' Astrid says taking it all in.
''I hope I get some serious burns.'' Tuffnut says un-ironically.
''I'm hoping for some mauling, like on my shoulder or lower back.'' Ruffnut says.
''Yeah, it's only fun if you get a scar out of it.'' Astrid says seriously.
The teens in question shrink under the adults glares.
''Only fun…fun?! who taught you that?!''
''burns, mauling.. ya'd think I dropped em on their heads as babies''
''Yeah, no kidding, right? Pain. Love it.'' Hiccup states sarcastically.
The recruits turn to see Hiccup behind them. Groans all around.
''Oh great. Who let him in?'' Tuffnut asks.
''Hey don't look at me like that! We're friends now…sort off'' Tuffnut states after seeing the looks he was getting from both Vikings and dragons.
''Let's get started! The recruit who does best will win the honor of killing his first dragon in front of the entire village.''
''The honor'' Valka scoffs sarcastically.
''We don't think that anymore'' Astrid said making Valka smile softly at the young girl.
''Hiccup already killed a Night Fury, so does that disqualify him or...?'' Snotlout asks, the other recruits laugh and chatter in the background. '
''Can I transfer to the class with the cool Vikings?'' Tuffnut asks, looking not so subtly at Hiccup.
Gobber throws a supportive arm around Hiccup and ushers him along.
''Don't worry. You're small and you're weak. That'll make you less of a target. They'll see you as sick or insane and go after the more Viking-like teens instead.'' Gobber says cheerily with complete confidence.
''You need to work on your pep-talks Gobber'' Valka says with a grimace.
''That was-'' ''a pep-talk?'' Barf and Belch asks astonished.
''Ya it was. A very good one at that, don't know what ya'll are complainin bout'' Gobber says.
Gobber sticks him in line with the others and continues on toward five massive reinforced doors. Terrible roars and bellows issue from within.
Gobber ignoring the terrible terrors roars states, ''Behind these doors are just a few of the many species you will learn to fight.''
Fishlegs bounces and giggles with excitement, barely able to contain himself.
''The Deadly Nadder.'' Gobber explains while he points at the corresponding cage.
''Speed eight. Armor sixteen.'' Fishlegs says under his breath
''Speed eight. Armor sixteen.'' Fishlegs says under his breath at the same time as on the screen.
''The Hideous Zippleback.'' Gobber says pointing at a cage.
''Plus eleven stealth. Times two.'' Fishlegs whispers.
''Plus eleven stealth. Times two.''
''The Monstrous Nightmare.'' Gobber says trying to ignoring Fishlegs mumblings.
''Firepower fifteen.'' Fishlegs says.
''Firepower fifteen.''
''The Terrible Terror.'' Gobber continues.
''Attack eight. Venom twelve.'' Fishlegs states in awe.
''Attack eight. Venom twelve.''
''can you stop that?!''
''can you stop that?!" Gobber in the theater screams at the same time as himself on the screen.
''sorry'' Fishlegs apologizes sheepishly.
Beat.
''And...the Gronckle.''
''Jaw strength, eight.'' Fishlegs says quietly to himself.
Gobber pulls a lever, raising the cross beam on the last of the doors.
''Whoa, wait! Aren't you gonna teach us first!?'' Snotlout screams.
Meanwhile in the theater believe it or not almost everyone agreed and said the same as on screen Snotlout.
''are ya tryna get them killed''
''Gobber!''
''what the..''
''O my..''
''Wha' it worked didn't it'' Gobber says not at all fazed by the commotion.
''I believe in learning on the job.''
Bam! A Gronckle thunders out of its cave, charging into the ring like an irate rhino. The recruits scramble in every direction. Except for Ruffnut and Tuffnut who rush toward it, like pumped-up rodeo clowns.
''Today is about survival. If you get blasted, you're dead. Quick, what's the first thing you're going to need?'' Gobber asks.
''A doctor?'' hiccup says.
''nope that's after'' Astrid says
''Plus five speed?'' Fishlegs asks in a panic.
''Where do you suppose one could get plus five speed Fishlegs?'' Valka asks kindly but amused.
''A shield.'' Astrid states full of certainty.
''That's my girl!'' Astrid's Father hollers proudly.
''Shields. Go.'' Gobber orders.
The recruits scramble for shields, finding them scattered around the ring.
''Your most important piece of equipment is your shield. If you must make a choice between a sword or a shield, take the shield.''
Hiccup struggles to lift his. Gobber helps him and sends him running.
Ruff and Tuff stand amidst a dozen shields. But only one has a skull painted on it. They both grab it.
''Get your grubby hands off my shield Ruff!''
''There are like a million shields Tuff!''
''Take that one, it has a flower on it. Girls like flowers.'' Tuffnut says only to have Ruffnut bash the shield in his face. But Tuff still doesn't let go of the shield.
''Ooops, now this one has blood on it.'' Ruffnut says.
Neither twin noticing as the Gronckle takes aim at them. Blam! The shield is blasted out of both of their hands. Tuff and Ruff spin like tops and go down.
''That was your fault, you distracted me'' Tuff says to Ruff.
Who haughtily replies ''Did not, ya shouldn't have been tryna steal my shield.''
''It was my shield.''
''no mine!''
''no mine!''
A scuffle begins but never gets finished.
''aagh''
''owow''
Both twins moan out when their mother pulls them apart by the ears. When she lets go Ruff sits back down in silence, Tuff on the other hand dramatically drops to the grounds repeating, ''ow I'm hurt I am very much hurt!'' with both hand clamped on the abused ear.
''Tuffnut, Ruffnut, you're out!'' Gobber hollers.
''What?!'' Tuff asks dazed whilst Ruff lets out a confused ''What?!''
The Gronckle scoops up a pile of rocks and swallows them back. The teens gather on the far side of the ring.
''Those shields are good for another thing. Noise. Make lots of it to throw off a dragon's aim.'' The kids scoop up weapons and begin hammering on their shields. The Gronckle shakes its head at the clatter.
''Dirty Viking tricks'' a few dragons grumble.
''Sorry Meatlug'' Fishlegs says while petting her lovingly.
''All is forgiven hatchling.''
The teen targets become blurry and scrambled. It's working.
''Hey that's how I saw you'' Meatlug exclaims excitedly.
Gobber continues, ''All dragons have a limited number of shots. How many does a Gronckle have?''
''six'' every Gronckle yells out along with all the teens, excited to know the answer.
''Five!'' Snotlout guesses.
''No, six.'' Fishlegs corrects him.
''Yes! Got it right this time'' Snotlout says proudly.
''Correct, six. That's one for each of you!'' Gobber says.
''I really don't think my parents would-'' Fish tries to feebly say when, bam! he has his shield blasted away.
''Fishlegs, out.'' Gobber says.
After saying that he spots Hiccup hiding from the Gronckle's molten slugs. ''Hiccup, get in there!''
Meanwhile Astrid bouncing on her heels, ready to dodge a blast when Snotlout appears, trying to hit on her. ''So anyway I'm moving into my parents' basement. You should come by sometime to work out. You look like you work out-''
She cartwheels out of the way, allowing a shot to shoot past her and hit Snotlout's shield. He's blasted onto his back.
Snotlout's parents look embarrassed , shaking their heads.
''Snotlout..''
''Ya dad?''
''Not the time nor the place'' Spitelout says exasperated by his sons antics.
''More like never the time or the place'' Astrid says looking horrified at the prospect of Snotlout trying to flirt with her in the future.
''Snotlout! You're done!'' Gobber yells.
Astrid rolls to a stop beside Hiccup, who stirs awkwardly, trying to look cool.
''Aww'' Valka says whilst Toothless purrs at baby Hiccup.
Telling his hatchling ,''don't worry small one you'll get your mate''
Astrid just reminisces on how things would have played out had she given him a chance earlier, all the while smiling at the screen.
''So, I guess it's just you and me huh?'' Hiccup says awkwardly.
''No. Just you.'' Astrid responds before rolling away. A split-second later a lava slug knocks Hiccup's shield clear off of his arm. Hiccup is exposed.
''Better luck next time son'' Stoick says.
''He did well, second place is not nothing'' Valka adds, reluctantly agreeing with Stoick. Doesn't mean that she isn't still angry about what happened earlier though.
''One shot left!''
''Wait.''
''What?''
''Why isn't he out?''
''Yea''
''Gobber!''
''The lad is smaller and weaker which earns him a bonus life'' Gobber simply states leaving everyone to stare at him in disbelieve. Shaking their heads and face palming at Gobber's reasoning.
''Isn't that more dangerous?'' Valka asks him concerned.
''How so lass?''
''Wouldn't the Gronckle view him as stronger and thus more dangerous, considering he is the only one who got blasted and is still fighting her?''
''Mmm never thought about it like that'' Gobber says musing on Valka's theory.
''The hatchlings mother is right.'' Meatlug states matter of factly.
Hiccup panics and chases after his shield as it rolls across the ring. The sudden movement sends the Gronckle chasing after him, leaving Astrid in the clear.
Gobber lets out a worried, ''Hiccup!''
The Gronckle drives straight toward Hiccup, pinning him against the wall. It opens its mouth and cocks its tail, ready to fire point-blank.
Everyone in the theater holds their breath not thinking about the fact that this has already happened and Hiccup was fine.
Gobber lunges in and hooks the Gronckle's mouth at the last second, causing its head to jerk back and fire against the stone wall above Hiccup's head. Gobber stands there rattled, but masking it.
''And that's six!'' Gobber wrestles the irate Gronckle back into his pen. ''Go back to bed, ya overgrown sausage! You'll get another chance, don't you worry.''
''Rude'' Meatlug sniffs miffed.
Slam! Lock. Gobber turns to the recruits. ''Remember... a dragon will always,'' with a stern look to Hiccup ''always go for the kill.''
''Really Gobber always?..'' Valka asks with a raised eyebrow whilst petting Toothless, trying and failing not to laugh.
''Well… I mean… most…'' everyone burst out laughing despite the previous tension, causing Gobber to grumble something along the lines of ''like mother like son.''
He hoists Hiccup to his feet and walks off. Hiccup looks overhead to see a steaming pit in the solid stone wall.
Hiccup, battered after another disastrous day in the ring has returned to the woods. He studies the remnants of the discarded bola... revealing that he's back at the scene of the crime.
''So...why didn't you?'' Hiccup mutters mystified as to why the Night Fury didn't go for the kill.
He drops the bola and presses on in the direction the dragon flew off in. He drops into a rocky crevice and follows it to an isolated cove complete with a pristine spring pool. He scans the high stone walls and then notices a single black scale on the ground. He crouches and picks it up, studying it.
''It's just a scale'' a terrible terror says confused as to the significance of it all, dragons have scales duh.
Toothless takes pity on the terrible terror and decides to help him out ''He's looking for me, and that's my scale thus a significant clue'' he states simply in a bored tone.
''Well this was stupid.'' Hiccup says to himself.
Suddenly, the night fury blasts past him. Hiccup recoils, watching the massive beast struggle to climb the walls. It flaps violently, then peels away to a rough landing. The dragon is trapped.
''Why don't you just fly instead of climbing?'' Valka asks confused.
Toothless shows his tail as a response.
''Oh dear'' Valka says proceeding to inspect the prostatic tail flap.
Hiccup grins, excited to see it again, and slips closer. He watches as the dragon, exhausted and frustrated, leaps into the air, beating its wings furiously. Again and again, it rolls uncontrolled and crashes heavily.
As if remembering to snap a photo, Hiccup pulls a leather-bound book and flips past drawings of weapons to a blank page. He sketches the dragon quickly, desperate to record the image.
''Hiccup was the first Viking to ever see and record the appearance of a Night Fury.'' Fishlegs says quietly.
The Fury claws at the steep rock walls, trying climb out of the cove. It slips and falls hard, crushing several saplings. The Fury rolls back to his feet and slowly crawls to the water's edge. He spots fish in the shallow water and snaps at them... but comes up empty. He lowers his head, looking weakened.
''Thought I would starve back there.'' Toothless says more so to himself than anything else.
''Why don't you just...fly away?'' Hiccup mutters.
Making the people off screen smile at the uncanny similarities between the mother and son. Stoick smiles at Valka, who is still a bit angry at him but returns a small smile nonetheless.
Hiccup spots the problem. He adjusts his drawing, carefully erasing one half of the dragon's tail.
''Wow that boy can really draw'' Mala, Astrid's mother says.
''Never knew that.'' Stoick says realizing just how little he truly knew of his own son.
He accidentally drops the charcoal stick. It rolls off of the rock outcropping that hides him from view and bounces into the cove. Tink. Tink. Tink. The Night Fury raises his head, spotting Hiccup. They exchange a profound, unflinching stare.
Shifting to another scene.
A storm is brewing outside of the great hall. The great doors rattle on their hinges.
''Spooky'' a young Zippleback says snuggling closer into its fathers side.
''Alright. Where did Astrid go wrong in the ring today?'' Gobber asks the other recruits. The recruits are seated at a table, eating dinner by the glow of the fire pit.
''I mistimed my summersault dive. It was sloppy. It threw off my reverse tumble.'' Astrid answers getting eye rolls from the group.
''cough… show off… cough'' Ruffnut fake coughs.
''Teachers pet'' Tuffnut adds just as subtly as his sister.
''Yeah. We noticed'' Ruff says sarcastically.
''No, no, you were great. That was so 'Astrid'.'' Snotlout says grabbing Astrid's hand.
''Ugh, I had to wash that hand for hours'' Astrid says.
''She's right, you have to be tough on yourselves.'' Gobber states right before the great hall door creaks. All eyes turn to Hiccup, entering the hall, sheepishly. Gobber glares at him.
''Where did Hiccup go wrong?'' Gobber asks whilst glaring at him. As Hiccup tries to take a seat at the table...
''He showed up.'' Ruffnut says.
''He didn't get eaten.'' Tuffnut says.
'' Again not friends yet'' Tuffnut states with his hands raised in the air in surrender when he and his sister receive anything but nice looks.
... but the recruits keep closing the gaps. Rolling his eyes, Hiccup sits at the vacant table next to them.
'Pushed out of the pod eh, youngster?'' Toothless reflects sadly, it happens with dragon hatchlings too but dragons have multiple pods of hatchlings. So the pushed out youngster can always find its place in another pod but for Hiccup it looks to be the only pod on Berk island, making the pods rejection tragic.
A lot of dragons find themselves sympathizing with the Viking hatchling. And a lot of Vikings realize in shame that the teens haven't learned that behavior from a stranger.
''He's never where he should be.''
''Thank you, Astrid.'' Gobber says before standing.
''You need to live and breathe this stuff.'' he adds as he lays a giant book in the center of the table. ''The dragon manual. Everything we know about every dragon we know of.''
A rumble of thunder shakes the hall. Rain pours down outside.
''No attacks tonight. Study up.'' With that Gobber exits into the storm, leaving the teens staring at the book.
''Wait, you mean read?''
''While we're still alive?''
Ruffnut and Tuffnut asks incredulous.
''No when you're in Valhalla'' Gobber says sarcastically.
''There are books in Valhalla?!''
''I thought it was suppose to be paradise!''
Ruff and Tuff exclaim horrified.
''Why read words when you can just kill the stuff the words tell you stuff about?'' Snotlout asks.
''To be able to kill the stuff before it kills you'' dumbass Astrid said/thought.
''Oh! I've read it like, seven times. There's this water dragon that sprays boiling water at your face. And there's this other one that buries itself for like a week...''
''Impressive hatchling'' a monstrous nightmare says to Fishlegs. Making him smile shyly not used to being praised for incessant spew of facts .
The teens stare as Fishlegs goes on too long.
''Yeah, that sounds great. There was a chance I was going to read that...'' Tuffnut says
''...but now...'' Ruffnut interjects.
Snotlout gets up to go and says ''You guys read, I'll go kill stuff'' before walking towards the door.
The others follow, with Fishlegs in tow. ''Oh and there's this other one that has these spines that look like trees...'' Fishlegs continuous not getting the hint.
Astrid is the last to go. ''So I guess we'll share-'' Hiccup says when Astrid says ''Read it.'' And pushes it toward him and leaves.
''All mine then. Wow, so okay. I'll SEE YOU-''
Slam.
''Tomorrow.'' Hiccup says dejected.
Sigh.
''Rude'' a dragon says to Astrid.
''I know'' She states ashamed.
''You didn't mean to young one'' Stormfly says to her, nuzzling Astrid.
When Hiccup opens the massive book, thunder booms outside. The hall is vacant and dark, safe for the few candles he's pulled together. Hiccup pours through page after page of strange and frightening dragons.
''Dragon classifications. Strike class. Fear class. Mystery class.''
Hiccup turns the page.
''Thunderdrum. This reclusive dragon inhabits sea caves and dark tide pools.''
''When startled, the Thunderdrum produces a concussive sound that can kill a man at close range.''
''Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight.''
Hiccup's eyes drift to a lurid illustration of decapitated Vikings. Another page, another dragon.
''Timberjack. This gigantic creature has razor sharp wings that can slice through full grown trees...extremely dangerous. Kill on sight.''
The illustrations seem to take on a life of their own, shifting and squirming in the candlelight.
''Wow that's so cool'' '' Do all books do that'' Tuffnut and Ruffnut ask in awe.
Before anyone else could answer the twins their mom speaks up very loudly, ''Yes, absolutely all books do that'' looking around the room daring anyone to contradict her.
''Scauldron. Sprays scalding water at its victim. Extremely dangerous.''
The storm outside rages against the shuttered windows. Hiccup is startled, but presses on.
''Changewing. Even newly hatched dragons can spray acid. Kill on sight.''
He begins flipping through the pages. A blur of dragons...
''Gronckle. Zippleback. The Skrill. Bone Knapper. Whispering Death. Burns its victims. Buries its victims. Chokes its victims. Turns its victims inside-out. Extremely dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight. Kill on sight. Kill on sight...''
All dragons in the room are growling obscenities in rage at the murder booklet.
Hiccup finally lands upon the page he's been looking for.
''Night Fury.''
It's blank - no image, save for a few, sparse details.
''Speed unknown. Size unknown. The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. Never engage this dragon. If you do encounter one your only chance of survival is to hide and pray it does not find you.
' The unholy offspring of lightning anddeath itself' I like it Toothless thought.
Hiccup pulls his sketchbook out of his vest and opens it to his drawing of Toothless. He lays it over the book's blank page and considers it.
The scene changes. At dawn in the high seas we see a painted dragon, with a sword run through it. It's the billowing sail of Stoick's ship. Stoick hovers over the familiar nautical map - his eyes on the uncharted corner, swirling in mist and illustrations of dragons.
''I can almost smell them. They're close. Steady.''
''Smell us?''
''I don't smell…right?''
Sniff sniff ''I smell fine''
Stoick raises his gaze to... an epic fog bank, towering from sky to sea like a bruised, daunting curtain, beyond which nothing is visible. The three ships drift alongside it, skirting its solid edge, looking for an opening. On deck the crewmen mill nervously, all too aware of what Stoick is considering.
''Take us in.''
The helmsman steers Stoick's ship into the fog. The men draw their weapons, prepping for the worst.
Viking Nether ,''Hard to port... for Helheim's gate.'' The first ship disappears into the whiteout, followed by the other two.
A beat.
Suddenly a flash of light.
A silhouette of a dragon.
Hollers.
Sounds of splitting and shattering wood.
Plunges into the water.
Another bright flash.
''o my are you all alright?'' Valka asks. Stoick is happy Valka is sort of talking to him again and responds.
''We were fine dear just lost a few ships'' Valka looks relieved after getting this answer.
In the training grounds arena Hiccup runs his finger over the outline of the dragon painted onto his shield.
''You know, I just happened to notice the book had nothing on Night Furies. Is there another book? Or a sequel? Maybe a little Night Fury pamphlet?'' Hiccup asks.
Kablam!
A blast takes the axe head off of Hiccup's hilt, leaving a smoking hole behind him. Hiccup yelps and runs.
''Focus Hiccup! You're not even trying.'' Gobber yells.
The camera cuts back to reveal a Deadly Nadder, loose in a maze-like arrangement of moveable walls. Gobber calls orders from outside the ring.
''Today... is all about attack.''
The Nadder hops from wall to wall, sending the recruits scurrying.
''Nadders are quick and light on their feet. Your job is to be quicker and lighter.''
''Still can't believe this is how you taught our kids to fight dragons'' Stoick says shaking his head.
''Not just your kids, every batch I've ever taught'' Gobber states, oblivious to the horrified stares he was getting from all the parents.
The teens move in, stumbling over Hiccup and his unwieldy shield. The Nadder spots Fishlegs' ample rear hiding behind a wall. It whips its tail of spikes. Fishlegs screams and lifts an entire wall to shield himself from the spray.
''I'm really beginning to question your teaching methods.'' Fishlegs says.
''You're only starting to question it now?'' Astrid asks.
''Look for its blind spot. Every dragon has one. Find it, hide in it, and strike.''
Ruff and Tuff rush in, diving and rolling up to the Nadder's nose. The Nadder sniffs the air - it can't see them. Tuff and Ruff are smashed together - too close for comfort.
''Do you ever bathe?'' Ruffnut whispers, disgusted by the smell.
''If you don't like it, then just get your own blind spot'' Tuffnut responds.
''Born to argue, I always say'' the twins father says a little amused by his kids overly active fighting spirits.
''How about I give you one!'' Ruffnut whisper yells.
Ruff and Tuff shove each other, till their movement and noise gives them away. The Nadder attacks, snapping at both of them.
''Blind spot? Yes. Deaf spot? Not so much.'' Gobber says.
Making many in the theater chuckle. Truly born to fight those two.
Hiccup wanders up to Gobber, while the others dart past.
''Hey, so how would one sneak up on a Night Fury?''
''No one's ever met one and lived to tell the tale. Now get in there.'' Gobber answers tersely.
''I know, I know, but hypothetically...''
Astrid whisper yells, ''Hiccup!''
She puts her finger to her lips and gestures for him to hide. A moment later, the Nadder leaps over the walls, surprising them by landing in front of her. Astrid somersaults into its blind spot, confusing it. She rears back to strike - just as Snotlout leaps in, protectively sweeping Astrid behind him.
''Watch out babe. I'll take care of this.'' Snotlout says cockily.
Astrid ''Hey!''
Snotlout misses. Astrid glares at him.
''Idiot'' Astrid mutters none too quietly.
''The sun was in my eyes, Astrid. What do you want me to do, block out the sun? I could do that, but I don't have time right now!'' Snotlout says defensively.
''Pick another mate hatchling, she's not interested'' Hookfang gently tells his rider.
The Nadder tears off after her, knocking down walls in pursuit. She leaps and dives like a highly trained gymnast.
Hiccup wanders up to Gobber again. ''They probably take the daytime off. You know, like a cat. Has anyone ever seen one napping?''
''Hiccup!'' Gobber yells
''-Hiccup!'' Astrid yells as well.
Hiccup spins around to see the maze walls collapsing like dominos toward him. Astrid comes flying through the dust and crash-lands on top of him, laying him out in a limb-tangled mess.
''Oooh! Love on the battlefield!'' Tuffnut hollers only to have Ruffnut say, ''She could do better.''
Astrid blushes at Tuffs comment which doesn't go unnoticed by Valka, Stoick, Mala, Stormfly or Toothless.
The Nadder closes in, emerging through the cloud of dust. Hiccup struggles to untangle from Astrid.
''Just... let me... why don't you...''
The Deadly Nadder spins around and races back toward them like a Raptor. Astrid untangles herself and tries to pull her axe from Hiccup's shield... which is attached to his limp, gangly arm. She plants her foot on his torso and yanks the axe free, still burrowed into the shield. She spins and swings the axe and shield, scoring a direct hit on the oncoming Nadder's nose. It yelps and scurries off.
'ouch' Stormfly thought 'that hurt.'
''Sorry girl'' Astrid says rubbing Stormfly's scales.
''Well done, Astrid.'' Gobber says before he hobbles off to wrestle the Nadder back into his cave.
Hiccup gets to his feet - all eyes are upon him. He turns to find Astrid glaring at him, winded.
''Is this some kind of a joke to you? Our parents' war is about to become ours. Figure out which side you're on.'' Astrid states harshly then proceeds to grab her axe and stomp off. Hiccup watches, stung.
''I think he chose the right side'' Toothless says whilst looking at baby hiccup peacefully sleeping in Valka's arms.
''He did'' Astrid says quietly in response.
A fish... being thrown into the cove. It hits the ground and slides.
A moment later, Hiccup peeks through a gap in the rock, looking around cautiously. Nothing. Hiccup squeezes through and enters the cove.
A beat
Then Hiccup hears a snort from behind him. Hiccup turns to see the Night Fury, crouched on a rock like a stealthy panther. It descends, approaching him... ready to pounce.
Hiccup swallows his fear and offers the fish. Doing so reveals the dagger at his waist. The dragon sees it and hisses. Hiccup reaches for it, eliciting a growl. He pauses, carefully lifts it by the handle, and tosses it away. The dragon calms. As it approaches the fish, Hiccup notices that it's missing teeth.
''Huh. Toothless. I could've sworn you had...''
A set of razor sharp teeth emerge from its gums to grab the fish. Toothless snatches and gnashes it up, swallowing it.
''... teeth.''
The dragons laugh at this partly because Hiccup considered that night furies didn't have teeth and partly because of his reaction.
The teeth retract again. Toothless presses closer with an expectant look. Hiccup retreats nervously.
''Uh, no. No, I don't have any more.''
''He didn't bring any for himself?'' A Terrible Terror asks.
''He needs it, he's too skinny'' a Gronckle says all the dragons nod in agreement.
''You should have shared'' Stormfly chastises Toothless.
''I did-"
''No ye didn't'' Spitelout states gesturing towards the screen.
''Ya, ye ate tha whole fish'' Snotlout says backing up his father.
''I shared with my Viking hatchling, you'll see'' Toothless says, annoyed by everyone butting in and assuming he'd be so selfish as to let his hatchling starve.
The Fury backs Hiccup against a rock, placing himself the same position as before. The dragon closes in over him, staring blankly. A tense moment passes... then Toothless regurgitates a chunk of fish onto Hiccup's lap. They exchange stares. Hiccup realizes what Toothless wants him to do.
''Gross…''
''He's not gonna?''
''No he wouldn't.''
''Right?''
''Of course the hatchling ate it, why wouldn't he?'' Toothless says confused as to why the Vikings were so upset. 'maybe their jealous that they didn't get any? Yes that must be it.' Toothless thought.
''It looks delicious to me'' a Terrible Terror says practically drooling.
Hiccup crouches slowly and squeamishly picks it up. The dragon waits expectantly. Hiccup gags and gnaws off a bite of the slimy fish.
''No…''
''Poor lad.''
''That… that right there, that's devotion.''
He forces a smile. Toothless mimics him. Amazed, Hiccup sits up and tries to touch him. Toothless hisses and flaps off only to crash on the other side of the cove. He blasts the mossy ground to a red-hot temperature...and curls up on it like a giant cat.
He turns to find Hiccup seated beside him. Toothless tolerates his persistent presence... until Hiccup tries to touch his damaged tail. Toothless snaps at him. Hiccup takes the hint and leaves.
''Someone is touchy'' a Terrible Terror teases, getting punted across the room for his insensitive words.
Later at the cove Toothless wakes, hanging upside down from a tree. He spots Hiccup sitting on the other side of the cove. Sketching in the sand, sketch of Toothless. Hiccup draws with a stick, minding his own business. Toothless appears behind him, watching carefully. Aware of his presence, Hiccup continues, trying not to scare him off. Toothless walks off. A moment later, he reappears with an entire sapling, drawing lines in the sand.
''What are you doing?''Astrid asks.
''Drawing my human hatchling'' Toothless says as if it's the most normal thing in the world, earning him some side eyed glances from both dragons and Vikings.
He rushes here and there, making haphazard lines in every direction. Finally, Toothless drops the tree and inspects his work. He seems pleased.
Hiccup stands and takes in the sprawling scribble, amazed by it. He accidentally steps onto one of the lines, eliciting an instant growl from Toothless. He steps on it again. Toothless growls again.
Realizing how sensitive he is, Hiccup steps carefully between each line, turning round and round until he unwittingly bumps into Toothless. Toothless snorts. Once again, they're face to face. Hiccup slowly extends his hand. Toothless hesitates. Hiccup turns his head away and closes his eyes. To his amazement, Toothless bridges the gap and presses his muzzle against Hiccup's hand. In a flash, the dragon is gone, leaving Hiccup astounded.
''Why did you trust him?'' Valka asks Toothless curiously.
''He didn't give me much of a choice, he's very persistent'' He answers in a fond tone of voice.
Later that night in the village Gobber and the recruits are seated at the top of an abandoned catapult tower, toasting campfire food around a roaring bonfire.
''...and with one twist he took my hand and swallowed it whole. And I saw the look on his face. can't deny it, I was delicious. He must have passed the word, because it wasn't a month before another one of them took my leg.'' Says Gobber animatedly.
'Humans taste horrible' a Zippleback thinks but knows better than to say it out loud. Now that he thinks about it he ate a dragon trappers leg once, tasted terrible but he had it coming.
''Isn't it weird to think that your hand was inside a dragon. Like if your mind was still in control of it you could have killed the dragon from the inside by crushing his heart or something.''
The Zippleback looks horrified 'That's not possible is it?'
Everyone else just looks disturbed at Fishlegs thought process.
''I swear I'm so angry right now. I'll avenge your beautiful hand and your beautiful foot. I'll chop off the legs of every dragon I fight, with my face.'' Snotlout says passionately as he postures to Astrid, who rolls her eyes.
''Un-unh. It's the wings and the tails you really want. If it can't fly, it can't get away. A downed dragon is a dead dragon.'' Gobber says with a mouthful.
Hiccup has to hide his horrified look form the others upon hearing this.
Gobber stands and stretches and says ''Alright. I'm off to bed. You should be too. Tomorrow we get into the big boys. Slowly but surely making our way up to the Monstrous Nightmare.''
Then continues in a playful/taunting voice ''But who'll win the honor of killing it?'' before finally hobbling off leaving the teens to reflect.
Tuffnut very matter of factly states ''It's gonna be me.'' Leaving no room for any argument.
Beat.
''It's my destiny. See?'' Tuffnut rolls up his sleeve to reveal a red dragon on his arm.
Fishlegs gasps ''Your mom let you get a tattoo?''
''Tuffnut Jennifer Thorston'' His mother gasps.
''Maaaa don't call me that in public'' Tuffnut bemoans.
''I'll call you whatever I want, I'm your mother'' chastising her wayward son. ''Now who gave you permission to get a tattoo cuz it surly wasn't me young man!''
'' I…well…uhm'' Tuffnut rambles trying but failing to come up with a good excuse.
''Take your time to think about it, we'll talk about this when we get home Tuffnut'' a talk which Tuffnut surely won't enjoy.
Tuffnut ,''It's not a tattoo. It's a birthmark.''
''Okay, I've been stuck with you since birth, and that was never there before.'' Ruffnut says discrediting her brothers lie.
Tuffnut says,'' Yes it was. You've just never seen me from the left side until now.''
''It wasn't there yesterday. Is it a birthmark or a today-mark?'' Snotlout says.
Hiccup gets up and walks away from the group. Astrid watches him as he leaves the bonfire.
Moments later Hiccup enters a small room at the back of the blacksmith stall. It's covered in drawings of weaponry and scale models. He lights a candle and lays his sketchbook out on the desk, opening it to the drawing of Toothless. With a look of determination. Hiccup picks up a charcoal stick and re-draws the missing tail.
''Hiccup build this?'' Valka says looking at Toothless prostatic in awe.
''mhm'' Toothless murmurs positively.
Later at the blacksmith stall ... a creaking leather bellows. The stone forge glows with every pump. Tongs pull intricate iron pieces from the coals. They're dropped onto the anvil, twisted, lightly hammered, and dunked in a barrel. The pieces are carried to Hiccup's workbench and laid out in place on a one-to-one schematic. It's a sketch of a mechanical fin.
''A natural smithy, I tell ya'' Gobber boasts.
Hiccup arrives at the cove at dawn, winded, straining under the weight of a full basket. He clicks the scale he found (like a jar top). Toothless approaches, sniffing him.
''Hey Toothless. I brought breakfast. Hope you're hungry.'' Hiccup says as he drops the basket and kicks it over. Fish spill out.
''That was delicious except for…'' Toothless trails off, distracted by the delicious fish on screen.
''Okay, that's disgusting.''
Toothless approaches, settling in to devour the feast.
''Uh..we've got some salmon...'' Toothless swallows it.
''... some nice Icelandic cod...'' Swallows those too.
''... and a whole smoked eel.''
''That'' Toothless says shuddering in disgust, 'eels are the worst.'
Toothless growls at it. He shakes his head violently and snorts.
''No, no, no! It's okay. Yeah, I don't like eel much either.'' Hiccup grabs it and throws it away from him.
''What? I make him eel-soup four days out off the week!'' Stoick exclaims.
''Maybe he likes eel-soup just not, any other way?'' Valka says in a feeble attempt to spare her husband's feelings.
Toothless focuses on the remainder. With the dragon distracted, Hiccup unwraps his prosthetic fin and opens it like a fan.
''Okay. That's it. That's it, just stick with good stuff. And don't you mind me. I'll just be back...here. Minding my own business.''
''That's not suspicious at all'' Astrid's father Boulder says loudly, making some laugh.
Hiccup cautiously approaches the injured tail, but every time he gets near it, Toothless sweeps it away like a cat.
''Like a cat aren't ya?'' Gobber says to Toothless.
''Maybe a crossing off a cat and a bat'' Fishlegs interjects.
Making many Vikings laugh especially after seeing Toothless' disgruntled face. But it made all the dragons burst out laughing because the Almighty Night Fury just got compared to, or rather called a batcat.
''It's okay.'' Hiccup drops a knee on top of the tail. Toothless' head juts up, slows its chewing to a halt.
''Okay...okay..'' The dragon tenses, slowly spreading his wings. Hiccup straps the prosthetic fin in place. He cinches the straps. Hiccup looks pleased. ''There. Not too bad. It works.''
Toothless bolts! He snaps his massive wings and takes to the air, carrying Hiccup with him.
''Woah! No! No! No!'' Hiccup struggles to hold on to the tail. As the ground speeds away, Toothless immediately tips into a uncontrolled bank and dive. Hiccup sees the folded fin rattling uselessly in opposition to its flared counterpart. Flap as he may, Toothless can't correct his trajectory.
Hiccup swallows his fear and crawls toward the folded prosthetic. He reaches it and yanks it open. The flared, fan- like appendage catches the air, stabilizing the twisting tail.
Hiccup excited and terrified yells out ''It's working!''
Everyone smiles at Hiccup's excitement.
Toothless arcs just short of the water and climbs high into the air.
''Yes! Yes, I did it.''
He glances back at Hiccup, busily holding the tail open while trying to hold on. Whoomp! Hiccup is suddenly thrown from the tail in the intense force of a turn.
''AAAAAGGGGHHHHH!''
He bounces across the water's surface and takes a dive. Without Hiccup to operate the tail, Toothless does the same, plunging in a massive cannonball. Hiccup resurfaces, roughed up, but beaming. Toothless appears seconds later.
''Yeah!''
''Hiccup flew on a dragon, my son is the first Viking to ride a dragon.'' Valka exclaims excitedly.
''It actually worked'' Many Vikings in the movie theater say astonished.
''That looked awesome'' ''ya let's try that later'' Ruff and Tuff say.
''Only Hiccup would be this happy after a crash-landing'' Astrid says shaking her head.
Author's note:
Well here is chapter 3 hope you enjoy it ;) Maaan this chapter was long, its official editing is the worst. Love the end result but still the absolute worst!
Lots of love, till next chapter.
